Sonos Earnings, Sonos Dropping More Hints of Headphones, Sonos vs. Apple Competition

The update begins with Neil’s thoughts on Sonos’ FY1Q24 earnings. The discussion then turns to Sonos dropping some of the clearest hints to date that it will soon unveil headphones. We look at the somewhat complicated competitive dynamic between Sonos and Apple.

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Walmart Begins Selling $699 M1 MacBook Air, Apple Becomes Aggressive with MacBook Air, Revisiting Mac Sales

Hello everyone. Today’s update will be dedicated to Walmart beginning to sell the Mac for the first time. The announcement is tied to Apple running with new entry-level pricing for the MacBook Air. There are a few angles to the news worth discussing.

Let’s jump right in. 

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My Thoughts Regarding the Apple / Gemini AI Licensing Rumor

Hello everyone. Welcome to a new week. For today’s update, we will discuss Bloomberg’s article about Apple and Gemini. There is quite a bit of speculation and nonsense flying around.

Let’s jump right in. 

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Project Titan Follow-Up, Apple vs. EU Follow-Up

We close out the week with a few follow-ups to topics that continue to generate buzz among Above Avalon members. We will begin with Project Titan and then turn to the suggestion that Apple should leave the EU.

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Porsche Teases Race App for Vision Pro, Apple’s Growing Interest With Motorsports, The Apple and Formula 1 Rumor

Happy Wednesday.

One quick follow-up to yesterday’s discussion regarding Apple’s blockbusters. The stated box office figures for “Napoleon,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Argylle” do not flow completely to Apple. Accordingly, Apple needed more than $250M ($700M+ production and marketing budget - $470M box office) in movie rentals, sales, and Apple TV+ to financially breakeven on the films. As we discussed, some of the lofty spending can be attributed to Apple wanting good looks at awards. 

For today’s update, we turn to the auto space where Tim Cook had a surprise role to play in Porsche’s newest electric car unveiling.

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Apple and Netflix Come up Short at Oscars, Apple’s Blockbusters Gamble, The Theatrical Release Question Lingers

Following the Oscars this past Sunday, today’s update will have a movie theme. We discuss Apple and Netflix coming up short at this year’s Oscars. The discussion then turns to Apple’s gamble with blockbusters at the movie theater ("Killers of the Flower Moon," "Napoleon," and "Argylle"). We also look at a lingering industry question found with theatrical releases.

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Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

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An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.

Apple Unveils Updated MacBook Air, Apple Positions MacBook Air as AI Laptop, MacBook Air and Productivity

Hello everyone. We continue to tackle Apple news items. Next up: The updated MacBook Air. Apple unveiled the new computers on Monday. There were a few things in the press release that jumped out at me. Let's jump right in.

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EU Fines Apple $2B for Not Giving Spotify a Free Pass, The European Commission’s Missing Logic, Apple’s Response

Hello everyone. Today’s update will be focused on the European Commission fining Apple $2B for its App Store anti-steering provision. There’s quite a bit to discuss. Let’s jump right in.

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Apple Adds Dozens of Licensed Movies to Apple TV+, More Signs of Apple TV+ Momentum, Apple Video Revenue Drivers

Hello everyone. Happy Monday. It's already turning into a busy week for Apple. Today's update will be focused on several Apple TV+ developments and Apple’s broader video play.

Let’s jump right in.

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An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.

Wall Street’s Muted Reaction to Project Titan, Where Does CarPlay Stand?, Apple’s Growth Prospects

Hello everyone. Happy Leap Day.

There are a few follow-ups to yesterday’s Project Titan discussion. We will begin with Wall Street’s reaction to Apple halting Project Titan. Our attention will then turn to Apple CarPlay and Apple’s remaining growth prospects.

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Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

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Apple Halts Project Titan, A Warning Sign for EVs, Apple and Moonshots

Hello everyone.

Over the past 10 years, Above Avalon has followed nearly every Project Titan twist and turn. It would not surprise me to learn that Above Avalon was responsible for more words written about Project Titan than any other publication.

Today’s update will be dedicated to news of Apple halting Project Titan.

Let’s jump right in.

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Samsung “Unveils” Galaxy Ring at MWC, Dispelling the Apple Ring Rumor, My Skepticism Regarding an Apple Smart Ring

Multiple outlets are reporting Apple will be winding down Project Titan. There is plenty to talk about. We will cover it all tomorrow. For today’s update, we will focus on another rumored product that likely won’t see a release anytime soon: an Apple smart ring.

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Walmart Buys Vizio, Walmart vs. Amazon, Revisiting the Roku Story

We go over my thoughts on Walmart buying Vizio. The discussion includes a closer look at the Walmart vs. Amazon competitive battle. We also revisit Roku’s strategy and the massive holes in the company’s story.

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Apple Announces First Immersive Video for Sports, Vision Pro and Apple Immersive Video, Why Is Apple Sports iPhone-Only?

Happy Thursday. In today’s update, our discussion will begin with the new Apple Immersive Video format found on Apple Vision Pro. There is then one follow-up regarding the new Apple Sports app.

One quick item: I have been using Apple Vision Pro for roughly a week. Zeiss Optical Inserts arrived just a few days ago. My plan is to use the device for some time, naturally see where it fits into my live, before publishing something along the lines of in-depth review or report. In more than a few ways, the initial round of reviews came across as rushed. When we talk about Apple Vision Pro in this update, my perspective is based on actually using the device for some time, and not just the two pre-launch demos.

Let's jump right in. 

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Apple Launches Apple Sports App, Apple Sports vs. Competing Apps, Apple Sports and The Big Picture

Hello everyone. It feels good to get back in the swing of things after a little time off. We will dedicate today’s update to discussing a new app that Apple just launched: Sports.

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Microsoft Earnings, Peloton Earnings

In today’s update, we will wrap up our Big Tech earnings reviews with Microsoft. We will then conclude the discussion with a look at Peloton earnings.

To set the scene, Microsoft and Peloton are in some ways complete opposites. Microsoft has been reporting some of the cleanest, all-around solid earnings releases in Big Tech. Peloton is in the most precarious of positions in terms of companies that we check in on from time to time. It’s been six months since we looked at Peloton’s earnings.

An Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the full update here. (Members: Daily Updates are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)

Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time.

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Alphabet Earnings, Amazon Earnings

Monday’s update concluded with the following:

“Meta has reported more than $38B of operating losses on its AR/VR efforts. The company needs products like Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta to do well and generate revenue to reduce pressure on what are mounting losses.”

There is more to say about the mounting losses in Meta’s Reality Labs and why I think generating some revenue is important. We will focus on that topic today. Our Big Tech earnings reviews will continue tomorrow.

An Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the full update here. (Members: Daily Updates are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)

Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-on.

Thoughts on How Zuckerberg Can Monetize Meta Reality Labs

Monday’s update concluded with the following:

“Meta has reported more than $38B of operating losses on its AR/VR efforts. The company needs products like Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta to do well and generate revenue to reduce pressure on what are mounting losses.”

There is more to say about the mounting losses in Meta’s Reality Labs and why I think generating some revenue is important. We will focus on that topic today. Our Big Tech earnings reviews will continue tomorrow.

An Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the full update here. (Members: Daily Updates are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)

Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-on.